Method and apparatus for administering micro-ingredient feed additives to animal feed rations

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus are provided for administering micro-ingredient feed additives to animal feed rations. The apparatus may be referred to as a system which includes a number of discrete components which cooperate together to ultimately deliver micro-ingredients to a desired location, such as a feed mixer containing a feed ration. Structure is provided for storing, measuring, dispensing, and conveying the micro-ingredients. Measuring of the micro-ingredients may be achieved by loss in weight, gain in weight, or volumetric metering methods. Transport by a liquid carrier such as water may be achieved by providing one or a plurality of conveyance pumps connected to a transport line. The system is operated by a control unit which controls components of the system to achieve delivery of specified amounts and types of micro-ingredients to the feed ration.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/856,095, filed May 28, 2004, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FORADMINISTERING MICRO-INGREDIENT FEED ADDITIVES TO ANIMAL FEED RATIONS”,which is incorporated in its entirety herein by this reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for addingmicro-ingredients to feed rations for animals such as livestock, andmore particularly, to a product collection tank used in a system foradministering micro-ingredient feed additives to a feed ration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Providing animals with various dietary supplements and medications suchas vitamins, minerals, enzymes, hormones, and antibiotics is a commonand well known practice in the livestock and poultry industries. Themanner in which these supplements are mixed together and added to aconsumptive fluid carrier such as water is disclosed in a number ofpatents, including the U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,889,443; 4,815,042; 4,733,971;and 5,219,224.

In these references as well as many others, it is known to utilizeautomated systems which dispense discrete amounts of micro-ingredients,mix the micro-ingredients, and then deliver the micro-ingredients to afeed ration, typically in a slurry mixture form. The prepared slurry maybe fed directly to the animals, or may be added to the animal feedrations using mixing or spraying methods.

One step in traditional approaches of manipulating micro-ingredientswhich can be eliminated is the mixing of the multiple micro-ingredientsprior to addition of the micro-ingredients to a feed ration. Feedrations are typically stored in large batch-feed mixers prior todelivery of the rations to a feed truck which then distributes the feedto bunk feeders for consumption by animals. It has been found throughvarious trials that mixing of the feed ration which inherently takesplace at the batch feed mixers is adequate for also mixing anddispersing micro-ingredients throughout the feed ration. By requiringuse of a mixer within a micro-ingredient dispensing system, the mixeritself is an additional piece of equipment which must be maintained andcleaned, and adds to the overall cost and complexity of the system.

Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent bya review of the accompanying drawings taken along with the detaileddescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Several drawings have been developed to assist with understanding theinvention. Following is a brief description of the drawings thatillustrate the invention and its various embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view comprising one preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the product collection tank shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the device shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the device shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the device shown in FIG. 3 with a flush ring;

FIG. 6 is a detail cross-sectional view of a portion of the flush ringshown in FIG. 5 taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIGS. 7A-7E are side elevation views of the device shown in FIG. 2during various intervals of an example cycle;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view a modification of the device shown in FIG.2;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the device shown in FIG. 8;

FIGS. 10-14 are side elevation views of modifications of the deviceshown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 15A is a front elevation view of the device shown in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 15B-15E are front elevation views of modifications of the deviceshown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 16 is a schematic view comprising another preferred embodiment ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 17 is a schematic view comprising a yet another preferredembodiment of the present invention.

While the following disclosure describes the invention in connectionwith those embodiments presented, one should understand that theinvention is not strictly limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, oneshould understand that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, andthat in certain instances, the disclosure may not include details whichare not necessary for an understanding of the present invention, such asconventional details of fabrication and assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the system 10 of the presentinvention which is specifically designed for storing, dispensing,measuring, and delivering micro-ingredients from an initial locationwhere each of the micro-ingredients are stored, to a desired locationsuch as a feed mixer containing a feed ration. Initially, themicro-ingredients are stored in one or more storage bins 12. The binsmay have an open upper end 14 or a closed upper end having a reclosablelid (not shown). Means are provided for dispensing the micro-ingredientsfrom the bins 12 to a weigh hopper 24 as shown in FIG. 1. One manner inwhich the micro-ingredients may be dispensed from the bins is by use ofan auger 20 which is powered by a motor 16. One of the motors 16 and aportion of the corresponding bin 12 is broken away in FIG. 1 to view theauger 20. A drive belt 18 would transfer rotation from the motor 16 tothe auger 20 which would rotate to transfer a desired amount ofmicro-ingredient from the bin 12, through discharge tube 22, and intothe weigh hopper 24. The speed and duration for operation of the auger20 would be controlled as by a control unit 25 which would be programmedfor operating the auger 20 as further discussed below.

FIG. 1 illustrates a pair of storage bins 12 which dispense theirmicro-ingredients into a weigh hopper 24, which then in turns drops itscontents into a single product collection tank 30. However, in additionto a pair of storage bins 12 dispensing into one product collection tank30, it is contemplated that a single product collection tank 30 may alsoreceive micro-ingredients from a single storage bin, or from more thantwo storage bins. For example, four, six or eight storage bins mayprovide micro-ingredient products into a single product collection tank30. It is also contemplated within this embodiment to provide aplurality of weigh hoppers (not shown) for a plurality of storage binsdepending upon the types and quantities of micro-ingredients which arerequired to be routinely delivered to a feed ration. For theconfiguration shown in FIG. 1, micro-ingredients may be dispensed eithersimultaneously or sequentially into the weigh hopper, again dependingupon the micro-ingredients to be delivered. The weigh hopper 24 providesan indication of the weight of the micro-ingredients which have beenadded thereto, and the weigh hopper also electrically communicates withcontrol unit 25.

The control unit controls the operation of the augers 20 by comparingweighed amounts of the dispensed micro-ingredients to desired amounts,and then operating the augers with the correct speed and duration tosatisfy a particular needed quantity of the micro-ingredients. Once thedesired amount of one or more micro-ingredients are delivered to theweigh hopper 24 and the weight(s) have been confirmed by the scales 26of the weigh hopper, the micro-ingredient(s) may be released from theweigh hopper as by discharge valve 28 which allows themicro-ingredient(s) to fall directly into the product collection tank30. The micro-ingredient(s) would then remain within the productcollection tank until such time the micro-ingredients were to bedelivered to the feed ration by cycling the pumping systeminterconnected to the product collection tank 30, as discussed below.

At least one, and more preferably two, conveyance pumps 32 are connectedin series to the outlet 42 of the product collection tank 30. Theconveyance pumps 32 are used in conjunction with transport piping 34 toconvey the micro-ingredients from the product collection tank 30 to thedesired location, such as an animal feed mixer 40 which may contain aparticular feed ration. The conveyance pumps 32 may be constant orvariable speed pumps with equal or different capacities. In oneembodiment, the applicant has successfully used 1.5 horsepowercentrifugal pumps.

The control unit 25 may be in the form of a programmable logiccontroller (PLC) which essentially operates as a computer with softwarewhich can be programmed to control each of the components or elements inthe system. As well understood by those skilled in the art, the PLC iscapable of operating a wide array of output devices such as the motor(s)16, conveyance pumps 32 and flush ring pump 36 that is used to supply aconveyance or carrier fluid such as water to the product collection tank30. In addition, the PLC is capable of receiving numerous inputs whichmonitor the system, such as scale(s) 26. Various electrical controllines 44 illustrate that each of the components are either controlled bycontrol unit 25 or provide input to the control unit 25.

A carrier fluid or water source 48 is shown with one or more liquidlines 50 which connect to the flush ring 38, thereby providing thedesired flow of water to the product collection tank 30 during cyclingof the conveyance pump 32. As used herein, the term “water” isinterchangeable with “carrier fluid,” which typically comprises potablewater.

The weigh hoppers and scales may be eliminated in favor of a differentmeans by which to measure the dispensing of micro-ingredients. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 16 one additional way in which themicro-ingredients may be weighed is by load cells 29 which may bepositioned under the storage bins 12 and mounted on platforms (notshown). The load cells 29 would provide weight measurement by a signalsent to the control unit 25. With the use of load cells 29, the measuredamounts of micro-ingredients would be calculated by loss in weight ofthe storage bins 12 as the micro-ingredients are dispensed.

Referring now to FIG. 17, in lieu of measuring the dispensed amount ofmicro-ingredients as by load cells, each auger 20 could be preciselycalibrated to dispense the desired quantity of micro-ingredients.According to this method, a calibration would take place for each of theaugers 20 to ensure that operating the augers 20 at a particular speedand duration corresponded to dispensing of a known amount of amicro-ingredient. Volumetric metering of micro-ingredients in thisfashion is suitable for those micro-ingredients which are delivered ingreater quantities, as it is much more difficult to accurately metersmaller quantities of micro-ingredients. For both the loss in weight andvolumetric metering methods, the micro-ingredients can be dispenseddirectly into the product collection tank 30. Thus, there is no need forany type of hopper or other intermediate structure thereby furthersimplifying the system.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, a first embodiment of a product collectiontank 30 used in system 10 is shown. The product collection tank 30comprises a funnel-like portion 52 that defines a progressivelydecreasing cross section downward. For the embodiments shown anddescribed herein, the funnel-like portion 52 is a frustro-pyramidalconfiguration; however, this is exemplary and not meant to limit thepresent description. Thus, it should be understood that the term“funnel-like portion” includes shapes other than frustro-pyramidal,including pyramidal shapes, as well as conical and frustro-conicalshapes, etc. The upper portion of the product collection tank 30preferably includes an extension portion 58 that provides additionalcapacity or volume to the product collection tank 30. For theembodiments shown herein, in plan view the extension portion 58 hassubstantially vertical sidewalls 60. The geometric cross-sectional shapewill typically vary to match that of the funnel-like portion. Thus,extension portion 58 may have a substantially square or rectangularshape, as shown in the Figures, or may have a circular or other shape.In one embodiment, the funnel-like portion 52 has a height H of about8.5 inches, a length L of about 20 inches, and a width W of about 15inches; however, other dimensions are within the scope of the invention.The product collection tank 30 may further include a mounting structure,such as framing 62, which construction will be known to those skilled inthe art.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the frustro-pyramidal shaped funnel-like portion52 includes sloping surfaces 54 a-54 d, where sloping surface 54 afurther includes a flush chamber 56. The flush chamber 56 leads tooutlet 42. As best seen in FIG. 4, the flush chamber 56 includessubstantially vertical sidewalls 64 that are triangular in shape. Inaddition, the flush chamber 56 includes a substantially vertical endwall66. For the configuration shown in FIGS. 1-4, the endwall 66 issubstantially co-planar with the vertical sidewall 60 located above theendwall 66. For one embodiment, the flush chamber width W_(FC) is about1.5 inches, where the product collection tank has a length L of 20inches and a width W of 15 inches; thus, the flush chamber occupiesabout 10% of the width.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a side elevation view of the product collectiontank 30 is shown. For the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the flushchamber 56 is a 3-dimensional notched region in the sloping surface 54 aof the funnel-like portion 52. For the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-4,the flush chamber 56 has a flush chamber bottom surface 68 that is bothplanar and sloping. More particularly, the flush chamber bottom surface68 slopes from the center or truncated portion 70 of the bottom oft hefunnel-like portion 52 toward the side-positioned outlet 42. The flushchamber bottom surface 68 slopes downward toward the outlet 42 at abottom angle φ of between about 0.1 to 45 degrees, and more preferablyat an angle of between about 1 to 10 degrees, and more preferably yet,at an angle of about 8 degrees. This preferred angle allows the carrierfluid or water to flush the product from the tank.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, in a separate aspect of the invention, aflush ring 38 is connected to the product collection tank 30. The flushring 38 preferably provides uneven flow distribution. More particularly,greater flow is preferably provided to a rear portion of the productcollection tank 30. In addition, supplemental water is sprayed onto thesidewalls 64 of the flush chamber 56. In general, the flush ring 38serves to provide the carrier fluid or flush water to the productcollection tank 30. The water injected into the product collection tank30 from the flush ring 38 serves to wash product material from theinterior surfaces of the product collection tank 30, and, in combinationwith the conveyance pumps 32, serves to convey, transfer or propel theproduct from the product collection tank 30 when the water reaches theoutlet 42.

Referring to FIG. 5, the flush ring 38 may take several forms; however,a perforated PVC pipe or other metal or plastic piping is suitable,provided the material type is checked for compatibility with productsflushed though the product collection tank 30. As noted, the flush ring38 preferably provides uneven flows to the product collection tank 30.For purposes of discussion, the product collection tank 30 can bedivided into two lateral portions: (1) a front portion 72 that isdefined herein as the side of the product collection tank 30 with theflush chamber 56 and the outlet 42; and (2) a rear portion 74 that isdefined herein as the side of the product collection tank 30 oppositethe flush chamber 56 and the outlet 42. The flush ring 38 may becontinuous (not shown) and extend around the entire interior perimeterof the product collection tank 30, or the flush ring 38 may bediscontinuous as shown in FIG. 5, wherein the flush ring 38 is dividedinto a flush ring front portion 38A and a flush ring rear portion 38B.Preferably, more water is provided to the rear portion 74 than the frontportion 72 of the product collection tank 30. One means for providingthe uneven flows is to increase the size of the perforations in the areato receive more flow. More particularly, the flush ring front portion38A can provide water to the front portion 72 of the product collectiontank 30 using perforations that are approximately one-half the diameterof the perforations within the flush ring rear portion 38B, whichprovides water to the rear portion 74 of the product collection tank 30.Thus, for constant input flows being provided to both the flush ringfront portion 38A and flush ring rear portion 38B, more flow is beingprovided to the rear portion 74 of the product collection tank 30 thanis being provided to the front portion 72 of the product collection tank30. The uneven distribution of water assists in washing the product fromthe rear portion 74 of the product collection tank 30 toward the flushchamber 56 and outlet 42 located on the front portion 72 of the productcollection tank 30.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a cross section through part of the flush ringfront portion 38A is shown. FIG. 6 illustrates a first perforation 76that provides flow directed to the sidewalls 60 of the extension portion58. Arrows A1 depict the typical flow direction of the water passingthough first perforations 76. Arrows A1 show that the water initiallystrikes and flows down along the interior surface of the sidewalls 60 ofthe extension portion 58, and then the water flows down the interiorsurface of the sloping faces of the funnel-like portion 52 of theproduct collection tank 30. As noted above, the first perforations 76 offront flush ring portion 38A are one-half the diameter (that is, ¼ theopening area) of the first perforations located on the rear flush ringportion 38B.

Still referring to FIG. 6, the cross section view of first flush ring38A also depicts second perforations 78 that direct water streams towardthe interior of sidewalls 64 of the flush chamber 56. Preferably, thefirst flush ring 38A includes at least one second perforation 78, andmore preferably, the first flush ring 38A includes about 4 to 12 secondperforations 78, and more preferably yet, the first flush ring 38Aincludes about 8 second perforations 78, where about 4 perforations 78are directed toward each of the two sidewalls 64 of the flush chamber56.

Arrows A2 depict the typical flow direction of the water passing thoughsecond perforations 78. Preferably, the first perforations are separatedfrom the second perforations 78 by a perforation angle θ, where θ issufficient in size to direct the streams of water toward the targetsurfaces. In one embodiment, θ is about 90 degrees. In one embodiment,the rear flush ring portion 38B does not have second perforations 78;however, supplemental perforations in the rear flush ring portion 38Bproviding projecting streams toward the flush chamber 56 arecontemplated. The flush ring 38 is preferably attached to the productcollection tank 30 using hardware (not shown).

Although not shown, a plurality of flush rings could be provided, with afirst flush ring providing sidewall rinse water and a second flush ringwith separate perforations solely directed toward the flush chamber 56.In addition, nozzles (not shown) could be used in conjunction with theflush ring(s). Thus a variety of flush rings and related components arecontemplated and encompassed by the scope of the present invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A-7E, a series of drawings are provided forillustrating the product collection tank 30 in use. Referring to FIG.7A, before receiving product from the weigh hopper 24, the productcollection tank 30 contains a quantity of backfill water 80. This is thewater that remains in the product collection tank 30 after the system 10has cycled. The product collection tank 30, therefore, has backfillwater 80 both within the bottom of the funnel-like portion 52 and theflush chamber 56.

Referring now to FIG. 7B, the product collection tank 30 is shown withproduct, such as one or more micro-ingredients added to the backfillwater 80. For the present example, four different product layers areshown. Thus, the current example would involve a first bin 12 proving afirst product P1 to the weigh hopper 24, which in turn dumps the firstproduct P1 into the product collection tank 30. Depending upon thecharacteristics and the consistency of the first product P1, some of itmay float and some may sink within the backfill water 80. Subsequent tothe first product P1 being dumped into the product collection tank 30, asecond bin 12 provides second product P2 to the weigh hopper 24, whichin turn dumps the second product P2 into the product collection tank 30.Since the bins are typically aligned along the length of the weighhopper 24, and therefore, along the length of the product collectiontank 30, the layers of product are typically observed to be stratified,but not uniform. For a total of four products, the third and fourth binsare adding the third product P3 and fourth product P4, respectively tothe product collection tank 30. Thus, as shown in FIG. 7B, the layers ofproducts P1-P4 are typically stratified and uneven, and somewhatsubmerged, but also floating in the backfill water 80. Since some of theproducts P1-P4 are submerged in the backfill water 80, the water levelin the product collection tank 30 is typically higher after the additionof product than before adding the product.

Referring now to FIG. 7C, in one method of use, the conveyance pumps 32are turned on before adding water to the product collection tank 30through the flush ring 38. Thus, the the conveyance pump 32 initiallydraws-down the backfill water 80 from the product collection tank 30,together with a quantity of the product P1-P4. Since the product P1-P4is stratified, the first product P1 tends to be flushed from the productcollection tank 30 first. However, the distribution of product that isflushed from the product collection tank 30 also depends on where it wasdropped into the product collection tank 30 from the weigh hopper 24.Product within the flush chamber 56 which leads to the outlet 42 is alsoflushed during the initial draw-down.

Referring now to FIG. 7D, after a few seconds, the flush ring pump 36 isactivated by the control unit 25 to provide water to the productcollection tank 30 through the flush ring 38. Note that a flush ringpump may not be necessary if a water storage tank with sufficient headand a controllable valve is instead interconnected to the flush ring 38and the control unit 25. Further note that while FIGS. 7A-7E illustratethe example of the water entering the product collection tank 30 fromthe flush ring after the conveyance pumps have started, the presentinvention also encompasses activating the flush ring before orsimultaneous to activating the conveyance pumps. The water from theflush ring tends to wash product down the sloping surfaces 54 a-54 d ofthe funnel-like portion 52. The flush ring water carries product intothe flush chamber 56, which is then conveyed out the outlet 42 andconveyed to the feed mixer 40. As shown in FIG. 7D, the last layers ofproduct P3 and P4 added to the product collection tank 30 tend to be thelast product in the product collection tank 30 during the cycling toflush the product from the product collection tank 30. The slopingsurfaces 54 a-54 d of the funnel-like portion 52 also tend to hold theproduct back and away from the outlet 42. Thus, the flush ring watergradually moves product into the flush chamber 56 from the central areaof the funnel-like portion 52 of the product collection tank 30.

Referring now to FIG. 7E, the flush ring 38 continues to add water andthe conveyance pumps 32 continue to pump the flush water and the productfrom the product collection tank 30 until all of the product P1-P4 isremoved from the product collection tank 30. For the present invention,a normal pump cycle period typically spans 40 to 60 seconds, but may beshorter or longer depending upon the amount of fluid or water desired topass through to the feed mixer 40. In addition, the cycle period is canbe adjusted to properly flush the amount of product within the productcollection tank 30 that needs to be conveyed to the feed mixer 40. Thecycle time can be adjusted by the operator of the apparatus using thecontrol unit 25. During the pump cycle, approximately 2 pounds persecond of water is being conveyed from the product collection tank 30and is carrying the product with it.

In summary, the product collection tank 30 typically initially containssome amount of backfill water 80 (although the tank could cycle evenwithout the presence of backfill water because the flush ring wouldeventually add sufficient water to prime the pumps). After drymicro-ingredient(s) have been weighed and transferred into the productcollection tank 30, the pumps 32 are activated. Once the conveyancepumps 32 are activated, water is then added by way of the flush ring 38,which rinses the product down to the flush chamber 56, which is thenconveyed out the outlet 42. The configuration of the flush chamber 56controls the gradual process of flushing product though the outlet,while at the same time not allowing a large quantity of product tosuddenly clog the outlet. In addition, if the water source providingwater to the flush ring 38 is turned off or is otherwise interrupted,the product tends to stay within the central area of the funnel-likeportion 52, and the somewhat moist ball or mass of product is not suckedinto the transport piping 34 and/or one or more of the conveyance pumps32. Instead, the product simply sits in the center of the funnel-likeportion away from the outlet 32. The conveyance pumps 32 may run duringthis occurrence, but a large and troublesome mass of moist and packableproduct is not in the direct vicinity of the outlet to get sucked intothe transport piping 34 and/or conveyance pumps 32. Thereafter, whenwater availability is returned to the system 10, water is added to theproduct collection tank 30 by the flush ring 30 and the pumps 32 flushthe product out of the product collection tank 30. Therefore, thepresent invention reduces the amount of down time for the system, andalso reduces the amount of servicing time necessary to remove clogs fromthe transport piping 34 and/or conveyance pumps 32.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, in a modification to the currentembodiment, perspective and side elevation views of a product collectiontank 30 is shown, wherein the flush chamber 56 has a substantially flatflush chamber bottom surface 82. More particularly, the substantiallyflat flush chamber bottom surface 82 is substantially the same elevationas the elevation of the bottom of the funnel-like portion 52. For thefrustro-pyramidal configuration of the funnel-like portion 52 shown inFIGS. 8 and 9, the bottom truncated portion 70 is substantially the sameelevation as the substantially flat flush chamber bottom surface 82.Furthermore, the bottom elevation of the outlet 42 is also substantiallythe same elevation as the entire length of the substantially planar andsubstantially flat flush chamber bottom surface 82.

Referring now to FIG. 10, in another modification to the currentembodiment, a side elevation view of a product collection tank 30 isshown, wherein the flush chamber 56 has a shortened flush chamber bottomsurface 84. More particularly, for the configuration of the flushchamber 56 shown in FIG. 10, the flush chamber bottom surface 84 issloping and shorter than the flush chamber bottom surface 68 shown inFIG. 4. For the configuration shown in FIG. 10, the outward slopingendwall 86 is not substantially vertical, but rather, it slopes up andoutward from the bottom of the outlet 42 toward the top of thefunnel-like portion 52 until it intersects the bottom of the extensionportion 58 of the product collection tank 30.

Referring now to FIG. 11, in still another modification to the currentembodiment, a side elevation view of a product collection tank 30 isshown, wherein the flush chamber 56 has an extended flush chamber bottomsurface 88. More particularly, for the configuration of the flushchamber 56 shown in FIG. 10, the extended flush chamber bottom surface88 is sloping and longer than the flush chamber bottom surfaces 68 and84 shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 10, respectively. For the configurationshown in FIG. 1, the inward sloping endwall 90 is not substantiallyvertical, but rather, it slopes up and inward from the bottom of theoutlet 42 toward the top of the funnel-like portion 52 until itintersects the bottom of the extension portion 58 of the productcollection tank 30.

Referring now to FIG. 12, in yet another modification to the currentembodiment, a side elevation view of a product collection tank 30 isshown, wherein the funnel-like portion 52 substantially comprises apyramidal shape, such that there is not a flat surface to the bottom ofthe funnel-like portion 52. Instead, the product collection tank 30 hasa substantially pointed bottom 92 with a sloping flush chamber bottomsurface 68 that extends from the pointed bottom to the outlet 42.

Referring now to FIG. 13, in still a further modification to the currentembodiment, a side elevation view of a product collection tank 30 isshown, wherein the product collection tank 30 outlet is a substantiallyvertical outlet 94. It is to be understood that the outlet may besituated at variety of angles relative to and including horizontal. Forexample, the outlet may be positioned at an angle of 45 from down fromhorizontal. Such modifications are within the scope of the presentinvention.

Referring now to FIG. 14, in yet a further modification to the currentembodiment, a side elevation view of a product collection tank 30 isshown, wherein the flush chamber has a curved shape with a non-linearend piece 96 that is continuous and comprises a curved flush chamberbottom surface and a curved endwall. Thus, it is to be understood thatthe flush chamber 56 may take on a variety of shapes, and these areencompassed within the scope of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 15A, a front elevation view of the productcollection tank 30 of FIG. 1 is shown, wherein the flush chamber bottomsurface 68 is substantially planar and wherein the sidewalls 64 aresubstantially vertical. Referring now to FIGS. 15B and 15C,modifications to the current embodiment are shown wherein the flushchamber bottom surface 98 is V-shaped (FIG. 15B), and wherein the flushchamber bottom surface 100 is curved (FIG. 15C). Referring now to FIGS.15D and 15E, in still further possible modifications to the currentembodiment, the sidewalls 102 can be substantially planar but sloping(FIG. 15D), or the sidewalls 104 can be curved (FIG. 15E). Thus, it isto be understood that the flush chamber 56 and its components may takeon a variety of shapes, and these are encompassed within the scope ofthe present invention.

Finally, it is also to be understood that the various modificationspresented above may in some cases be combined. For example, the productcollection tank may have a pointed bottom with a substantially flat butshortened flush chamber bottom surface. Other combinations of themodifications are possible and not listed, but will be understood by aperson skilled in the art. The other possible combinations are withinthe scope of the present invention.

While the above description and the drawings disclose and illustratenumerous alternative embodiments, one should understand, of course, thatthe invention is not limited to these embodiments. Those skilled in theart to which the invention pertains may make other modifications andother embodiments employing the principles of this invention,particularly upon considering the foregoing teachings. Therefore, by theappended claims, the applicant intends to cover any modifications andother embodiments as incorporate those features which constitute theessential features of this invention.

1. A method of measuring, dispensing, and delivering micro-ingredientsto a feed ration, said method comprising: providing a bin for storing aquantity of a micro-ingredient; metering the micro-ingredient from thebin to a weigh hopper; weighing the micro-ingredient in the weighhopper; transferring the micro-ingredient from the weigh hopper to aproduct collection tank, the product collection tank comprising afunnel-like, a flush chamber connected to the funnel like portion, andan outlet interconnected to the flush chamber; activating a flush ringpump to provide a flush ring water to a flush ring interconnected to theproduct collection tank; and activating a conveyance pump to convey abackfill water from a previous delivery, the flush ring water and themicro-ingredient from the product collection tank to the feed ration;and maintaining an amount of backfill water in the product collectiontank for use in a subsequent micro-ingredient delivery.
 2. A method asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said flush chamber comprises about 10% of awidth of said production collection tank.
 3. A method as claimed inclaim 1, wherein a flush chamber bottom surface of said flush chamberslopes downward toward said outlet.
 4. A method as claimed in claim 1,wherein said flush ring comprises a front flush ring and a rear flushring, said front and rear flush rings having a plurality of firstperforations, said front flush ring further comprising a plurality ofsecond perforations, wherein said second perforations provide at least aportion of the flush ring water to a sidewall of said flush chamber. 5.A method of measuring, dispensing, and delivering micro-ingredients to afeed ration, said method comprising: metering a micro-ingredient fromstorage to a weighing device; weighing the micro-ingredient on theweighing device; transferring the micro-ingredient from the weighingdevice to a product collection tank, the product collection tankcomprising a funnel like portion, a flush chamber connected to thefunnel like portion, and an outlet interconnected to the flush chamber,said flush chamber having a width less than width of said funnel likeportion; activating a flush ring pump to provide a flush ring water to aflush ring connected to the product collection tank; and activating aconveyance pump to convey a back-fill water from a previous delivery,the flush ring water and the micro ingredient from the productcollection tank to the feed ration; and maintaining an amount ofbackfill water in the product collection tank for use in subsequentmicro-ingredient delivery.
 6. A method as claimed in claim 5, whereinsaid width of said flush chamber is about 10% of a width of saidproduction collection tank.
 7. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein aflush chamber bottom surface of said flush chamber slopes downwardtoward said outlet.
 8. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein saidflush ring comprises a front flush ring and a rear flush ring, saidfront and rear flush rings having a plurality of first perforations,said front flush ring further comprising a plurality of secondperforations, wherein said second perforations provide at least aportion of the flush ring water to a sidewall of said flush chamber. 9.A method, as claimed in claim 5, wherein said flush chamber furthercomprises a sloping bottom surface.
 10. A method, as claimed in claim 9,wherein said sloping bottom surface comprises a bottom angle betweenabout 1 to 10 degrees from horizontal.
 11. A method, as claimed in claim5, wherein: said outlet is substantially horizontal.
 12. A method, asclaimed in claim 5, wherein: said product collection tank furtherincludes an extension portion connected to said funnel like portion. 13.A method, as claimed in claim 5, wherein: a side wall of said flushchamber is substantially vertical.
 14. A method, as claimed in claim 5,wherein: an end wall of said flush chamber is substantially vertical.15. A method, as claimed in claim 5, wherein: said flush chamberincludes a pair of side walls interconnected by an end wall.
 16. Amethod, as claimed in claim 5, wherein: said flush chamber includes sidewalls and an end wall, said side walls and said end wall beingorientated substantially vertical, and further wherein said side wallsare substantially triangular shaped and said end wall is substantiallyrectangular shaped.
 17. A method, as claimed in claim 5, wherein: saidfunnel like portion comprises a plurality of planer sloping surfaces.18. A method of measuring, dispensing, and delivering micro-ingredientsto a feed ration, said method comprising: storing a quantity of amicro-ingredient; weighing the micro-ingredient; transferring themicro-ingredient to a product collection tank, wherein the productcollection tank comprises a funnel like portion, a flush chamberprotruding from the funnel like portion, and an outlet interconnected tothe flush chamber, said outlet being oriented substantially horizontal;simultaneously activating a flush ring pump to provide a flush ringwater to a flush ring connected to the product collection tank andactivating a conveyance pump to convey the micro-ingredient; and saidsimultaneously activating step further includes activating theconveyance pump to convey the micro-ingredient and a backfill waterretained in the product collection tank from a previous delivery.
 19. Amethod of measuring, dispensing, and delivering micro-ingredients to afeed ration, said method comprising: storing a quantity of amicro-ingredient; weighing the micro-ingredient; transferring themicro-ingredient to a product collection tank, wherein the productcollection tank comprises a funnel like portion, a flush chamberprotruding from the funnel like portion, and an outlet interconnected tothe flush chamber, said outlet being oriented substantially horizontal;and activating a flush ring pump to provide a flush ring water to aflush ring connected to the product collection tank and activating apair of conveyance pumps to convey (i) a backfill water from a previousdelivery, (ii) the flush ring water and (iii) the micro-ingredient, allfrom the product collection tank to the feed ration.